Imagine going on the perfect tropical honeymoon but instead of just staying the couple of days, you and your spouse get stranded due to a pandemic.

That's what happened to one South African couple. On 14 March, Raul and Olivia de Freitas said "I do" and several days later they embarked on their dream honeymoon.

Eight days later, the newly-weds arrived at Cinnamon Velifushi Hotel in the Maldives.

While on their fourth day in the Maldives, South Africa announced the lockdown in an attempt to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Thus far, the lockdown is set to end on 16 April, however, Police Minister Bheki Cele has indicated that an extension on the lockdown isn't totally out of the question. This means Raul and Olivia have no idea when they will be allowed back in Mzansi.

The Daily Mail reported the happy couple had concerns about travelling during the pandemic but Raul, 28, and his wife, 27, were assured by a travel agent that they would be allowed back into the country.

The Telegraph reported the lockdown changed the circumstances with all incoming and outgoing flights in SA suspended.

The couple contemplated a trip to the main island's airport, but they would not have made it back to SA before the start of the lockdown, YOU reported.

Soon after SA's lockdown announcement, the Maldives followed suit and the couple would not have been allowed back if they left the island.

With no other options, the De Freitases made the decision to stay. However, the decision has been eating into their savings, the couple revealed.

They were left to stay at the extravagant hotel, which sets one back a whopping R14 000 a night.

Rual and Olivia then contacted the SA Consulate in the Maldives and SA Embassy in Sri Lanka for help.

The De Freitases were not alone and they learned 40 other SA citizens were also stranded in the Maldives.

They have since been transported to another resort where other South Africans were also being assisted.

Meanwhile, Briefly.co.za reported on another couple who got married in the lockdown. A couple released a video on YouTube telling their romantic story of how, despite everything going wrong and a global pandemic cancelled their wedding, they still found a way to share their special day. A 'priest' with a tablet for a face waited for them.

The groom woke his fiancée up and took her outside, where the 'guests' were waiting. Cardboard cutouts, roughly drawn and shaped to resemble their loved ones, sat patiently and waited for the ceremony to start.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!